![](https://sej.org.uk/agm2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2024/05/SEJonlineImagesJuneAGM2439.jpg)
Campaigning for a Review of the State Pension Age
30. East Renfrewshire Local Association
That this AGM instruct Council:
(i) to campaign for an urgent review of the State Pension Age/Normal
Pension Age link established by the Public Service Pensions Act
2013 given the mortality trends since the coronavirus pandemic,
which have lowered life expectancy when compared with
Government life expectancy forecasts made during the 2015
Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme reforms, and
(ii) To campaign for an urgent review of application of the “economic
check” in the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme cost control
process established by the Public Service Pensions Act 2013.
Des Morris from East Renfrewshire LA put forward a motion to campaign for an urgent review of the State Pension Age and the economic check within the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Morris highlighted the discrepancies between life expectancy trends and the government forecasts used during the 2015 reforms. “No pension money till 68 cost floor not ceiling being breached we need to campaign with fellow trade unionists across Scotland,” Morris argued.
Mike Dolan from West Dumbarton seconded the motion, citing the successful reduction of the pension age for prison officers as an example of effective trade union action. “Changes to pension link can only be done at the UK level and can only be changed by trade union action,” Dolan stated.
Reduction of Members’ Workload
31. East Renfrewshire Local Association
That this AGM instruct Council to continue to campaign for a significant reduction in members’ workload as part of the Stand Up for Quality Education Campaign, such campaigning to include, but not be limited to, implementation of the Scottish Government’s manifesto commitment to reduce class contact time to 21 hours per week and an increase in funding and support for pupils with additional support needs.
The AGM saw a strong push for reducing the unsustainable workload levels faced by teachers. Des Morris (East Renfrewshire) highlighted the overwhelming demands on teachers, particularly in light of the increasing number of learners with Additional Support Needs (ASN). “Workload levels are at unsustainable levels. Glasgow’s poorly thought out proposal to reduce jobs, with 37% of learners having ASN needs, is unacceptable and unsustainable,” Mr Morris stated.
Mick Dolan from West Dunbartonshire seconded the motion, emphasising the core issues that have persisted since 1978, he said, “Core work of preparing and correction are the biggest demands on teachers’ time. Current levels of time for preparation are an absurdity”.
Addressing the Increase in Non-Teaching Duties
32. Midlothian Local Association
That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on any increase in non-teaching duties due to the reduction in support staff.
Midlothian delegate Sharon Kidd brought attention to the staggering levels of non-teaching duties expected from teachers. “The levels of expectation on teachers are staggering. We need a focus on the non-teaching duties due to the reduction in support staffing,” Ms Kidd emphasised.
Sandie Gordon from Midlothian seconded the motion, sharing personal experiences of how the lack of support staff impacts teaching. “My time is taken up doing jobs previously done by others. Lack of support staff means parents are needed to make school trips safe,” Ms Gordon stated.
Investigating the Impact of Website Blocking Systems
33. Midlothian Local Association
That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the impact on teachers’ workload derived from navigating website blocking systems used by some Local Authorities with specific respect to accessing sources required for assignments.
Will Crichton (Midlothian) proposed a motion to investigate the impact of website blocking systems on teaching and learning. “Blocking systems are causing issues with learning and teaching. Processes to get content unblocked hinder planning,” Mr Crichton explained.
The motion was seconded by Phil Alexander, also from Midlothian, highlighting the frustration caused by blocked links. “Frequently being told the links are blocked and a need to change the links on the hoof is frustrating and embarrassing,” Mr Alexander remarked.
Survey of Pastoral Care (Guidance) Teachers
34. East Renfrewshire Local Association
That this AGM instruct Council to survey Pastoral Care (Guidance) teachers in Secondary Education, to investigate and report on levels of workload, tasks, responsibilities that cannot be captured in the Job-sizing toolkit, and report findings to Council to inform future campaigning.
Andrene Bamford from East Dunbartonshire local association called for a survey to investigate the expanding role of pastoral care (guidance) teachers. “More and more is being put on the shoulders of those in education. We need a baseline and some evidence. Let’s survey our members,” Ms Bamford urged.
James McIntyre, (East Dunbartonshire), seconded the motion, emphasising the fundamental role of guidance teachers in schools. “Their work is fundamental. Duties are difficult to quantify but are essential in school,” Mr McIntyre stated.
Restoration of Members’ Pay
35. East Renfrewshire & West Dunbartonshire Local Associations
That this AGM instruct Council to initiate, develop and implement a campaign to continue restoration of members’ pay, in real terms, to that established by “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century”.
As part of this campaign, that this AGM instruct Council to issue information to members on how far members’ salaries have declined, in real terms, since implementation of “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century.”
A motion for the restoration of members’ pay to levels established by ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’ was proposed by Mick Dolan from West Dunbartonshire. He emphasised the long periods of underinvestment and recent economic challenges. “We need to combat the narrative that there is no money. We have a long way to go to match the 2015 agreements,” Mr Dolan asserted.
Des Morris (East Renfrewshire) seconded the motion, reminding members of the importance of continued action. “We must not let up the fight for fair pay,” Mr Morris stated.
Addressing Supply Teacher Pay
36. Edinburgh Local Association
That this AGM resolve to instruct council to raise the issue of supply teacher pay at the SNCT as soon as possible, with the aim of achieving full pay from day one of any work undertaken by supply staff.
Phil Pearce from Edinburgh local association highlighted the challenges faced by supply teachers, calling for full pay from day one of any work undertaken. “Supply teaching is a tough gig. System errors impact on pay. Full day’s pay for a full day’s work,” Mr Pearce argued.
The motion was seconded by Alison Murphy from Edinburgh, who expressed admiration for supply teachers’ resilience. “I am in awe of what our short-term supply teachers do,” Ms Murphy stated.
Motion 37
37. Edinburgh Local Association
That this AGM instruct Council to:
- investigate and report on the extent to which implementation of the provisions of Appendix 2.9 Annex A in Part 2 of the SNCT Handbook (Excepted pupils) is resulting in class size maxima, as laid out in the SNCT, being exceeded;
- use the findings of that report to consider whether there is need to campaign for amendments to said appendix and its provisions.
Alison Murphy, Edinburgh, moves Motion 37 which deals with the provisions in the SNCT handbook dealing with Excepted Pupils. “We all know that we have classes where the number of pupils is higher than it should be,” she says. Motion carries.
Ensuring Long-Term Absence Cover
38. Midlothian Local Association
That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the levels of provision of long-term absence cover across Local Authorities.
Amendment EIS-FELA
After “secondary schools” add “and colleges”.
Mark Ireland (Midlothian) proposed a motion to ensure adequate cover for long-term absences. “Cover for long-term planned absences is not being provided. Councils are not putting in support or cover for these,” Mr Ireland argued.
In seconding the motion, Sharon Kidd, also from Midlothian, noted the impact on teachers’ non-class contact time. She said, “No external cover is provided, which impacts our non-class contact time”.
Enhancing Maternity Pay and KIT Days
39. Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire Local Associations
That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on:
- the impact of the current maternity pay on teachers’ welfare and living standards
- the funding provision made available in each local authority for Keeping In Touch (KIT) days, to match their commitment through the SNCT of ‘up to 10 days’ while teachers are on maternity leave.
Aisling Clark (Argyll & Bute) brought forward a motion to enhance maternity pay and provision for keeping in touch (KIT) days. “Significant challenges around maternity pay undermine gender equality. We must advocate for enhanced maternity pay,” Ms Clark emphasised.
Laura Minto from West Dunbartonshire seconded the motion, highlighting the importance of KIT days. “Keeping in touch days present a win-win situation but are not core funded,” Ms Minto stated.
Paid Leave for Fertility Treatment
40. Renfrewshire Local Association
That this AGM instruct Salaries Committee to negotiate an addition to SNCT entitlements for teachers who are undergoing fertility treatment to allow them an entitlement to paid leave to attend appointments and to undergo treatment.
Maggie Russell (Renfrewshire) proposed a motion to provide paid leave for fertility treatment. “Provisions in the SNCT need to cover fertility treatment,” Ms Russell argued.
Heather Hughes (West Lothian) seconded the motion, sharing her personal experience. “I have lived experience of this,” said Ms Hughes.
During the AGM, the debate on the motion to allow teachers to claim time back in lieu for participating in extra-curricular activities was intense. Gavin Cunningham from South Lanarkshire supported the motion, emphasizing the need to protect contractual time. “It’s about protecting the contract. This needs to be enshrined in the SNCT,” Cunningham stated.
However, there was opposition from Phil Pearce, who expressed concerns about the impact on voluntary activities. “I hate volunteerism. If the motion goes through, my ability to say no is diminished,” Pearce argued. Despite the strong support from some members, the motion did not pass.
Debate on Flexibility of Teachers’ Annual Leave
42. Renfrewshire Local Association
That this AGM call on Council to investigate and report on the flexibility of teachers’ annual leave and consider ways that teachers could utilise their leave at a time of their choosing.
The motion to investigate ways to offer more flexibility in teachers’ annual leave sparked a heated discussion. Craig Duffy (Edinburgh) supported the investigation, arguing it was worth exploring potential benefits. “It is an investigation the motion is asking for. It’s worth investigating to see what’s out there,” Mr Duffy stated.
Conversely, Craig MacDonald from Edinburgh opposed the motion, fearing it could undermine existing benefits. “The motion comes from a good place but it’s a bad motion. If you come for my six weeks in the summer, you will have to pry it from my cold dead hands,” Mr MacDonald argued. The motion ultimately did not pass.
Debate on Reclassification of Computing Science
43. Edinburgh Local Association
This AGM resolve to instruct Council to campaign for Computing Science to be reclassified as a practical class within Appendix 2.9 of Part 2 of the SNCT.
The debate on reclassifying Computing Science as a practical subject was robust, with strong arguments on both sides. Susan Quinn from Glasgow opposed the motion, highlighting existing policies. “We have a campaign in place asking for all subjects to be taught in classes of 20. Slow progress at the SNCT,” Quinn stated. The motion did not pass.